Algeria weigh Felix Sanchez Bas for top job despite questions over recent record

Algeria’s next manager appears close to being decided, with former Qatar boss Felix Sanchez Bas emerging as the leading candidate to replace Switzerland’s Vladimir Petkovic despite concerns over his recent record and coaching style.

The Algerian Football Federation’s National Technical College meeting reportedly suggested that the process has moved beyond debating the identity of the new coach and towards completing the formalities of his appointment.

According to Algerian newspaper El Khabar, Ali Moucer, the national technical director, National Technical College coordinator Rabah Saadane and National Technical Directorate member Karim Kaced gave strong indications that Sanchez Bas had been the preferred choice from the outset.

The officials highlighted the strengths of the Spanish coaching tradition, while stressing that the incoming manager would not be expected to impose a “tiki-taka” philosophy. Instead, he would be asked to develop an approach suited to Algeria’s squad and the characteristics of its players.

Other names on the shortlist appear to have been considered largely as alternatives. They included Roberto Martinez, Tom Saintfiet, Frank de Boer and Rafael Benitez.

Discussions indicated that Benitez had asked to bring his entire 11-member coaching team with him, a demand that did not receive the approval of the Algerian federation.

Language and coaching staff

The meeting also addressed concerns over communication if an agreement is reached with a Spanish coach. Moucer, Saadane and Kaced reportedly said language would not be an obstacle because former Algeria international captain Antar Yahia is expected to join the senior team’s coaching staff.

Yahia’s ability to speak Spanish would allow him to act as an intermediary between Sanchez Bas and the players.

A notable proposal came from Boualem Charef, technical director of Algerian club MC Alger. He suggested that the staff should include a second Algerian assistant alongside Yahia and put forward former international defender Samir Zaoui for the role.

Charef argued that Zaoui had the personality and experience to make a meaningful contribution to the coaching team. Saadane’s broad smile in response to the suggestion attracted attention and was interpreted by some present as potentially indicating an initial openness to the idea rather than simple politeness.

Several factors are understood to be working in Sanchez Bas’s favour. Most importantly, he is reportedly willing to work with an Algerian assistant, a condition insisted upon by the Algerian Football Federation. Some of the other candidates were said to have shown less enthusiasm for that arrangement.

Financial considerations have also helped the Spaniard’s case, with his demands understood to be lower than those of the other coaches contacted.

However, the possible appointment has raised questions over the technical criteria used to place Sanchez Bas ahead of managers with more extensive European experience and stronger CVs.

His most significant achievement came with Qatar, whom he guided to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup title. That success was followed by a difficult World Cup campaign in 2022, hosted by Qatar, when the team lost all three group matches without taking a point. It was one of the poorest performances by a host nation in World Cup history.

Sanchez Bas then managed Ecuador, but the Ecuadorian federation ended his contract after the team’s participation in the Copa America in July 2024. Ecuador were eliminated by reigning champions Argentina. Although the results were not considered catastrophic, criticism focused on the team’s style of play and the coach’s tactical decisions.

His latest job, at Qatari club Al Sadd, also ended earlier than planned. His contract had been due to run until July 2026, but the relationship ended in mid-October 2025 after a decline in the team’s domestic form and failure in the AFC Champions League.

There are also reservations about Sanchez Bas’s management of the dressing room. Reports from Doha, including comments attributed to Algerian players and players of Algerian origin who previously worked under him, describe his personality as complicated and his manner as difficult.

Those concerns could make it challenging for him to establish a strong relationship with Yahia, as well as with Algeria’s players, if his appointment is formally confirmed.